Story: Richard Millener
Just over two week ago Jonathan Cunningham (26) from Workington, Cumbria and navigator Richard Millener (26) also from Workington took part in the all new Fiesta SportTrophy (FST) Nations Cup competition at the Chatsworth Rally Show in Chesterfield. Cunningham then took part in the Circuit of Munster the following day…
The rally show, which is run by championship sponsor Steve Perez and sponsored by his Kick Energy drinks brand saw Cunningham and Millener compete in a four way competition to win a prize drive in a Ford Focus World Rally (WRC) car. The show is designed to showcase the sport of rallying to both new and old rally fans.
Cunningham and Millener were to represent Ireland, (Cunningham originally from Galway, Ireland) and were up against the fierce competition of familiar FST crews from the 2010 series of John Boyd/Fred Bell (representing Scotland), Elfyn Evans/Andrew Edwards (representing Wales) and Damian Smith/Frazer Hutchinson (representing UK).
The day would firstly begin with a once in a lifetime experience for all the crews competing, a passenger ride with current World Rally star and BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Driver, Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finnish ace showed all the FST upcoming crews just what he could do with a car around the short spectator stage and left all the crews in awe of his speed and talent. Once the experience had worn off it was time for the competition.
The format of the day would see each of the crews complete the short stage three times, after which the total stage times would be calculated and the slowest driver would be eliminated. A further one stage would see the second slowest driver knocked out, then a final one stage shootout would determine the winner of the Focus WRC prize drive.
The first run of the stage saw Cunningham and Millener set a good pace but sliding wide on some artificial metal roads saw them hit a bale and lose precious rhythm, however with Boyd also getting caught out on the same corner and breaking a driveshaft it would see Cunningham and Millener through to the second round shootout after the three initial runs had been completed.
Unfortunately the semi-final shootout would see the Workington pairing knocked out missing out on the final by a mere 0,5 of a second.
Evans would go on to take the win from Smith and take the prize drive, however the event was a great way for the current Fiesta SportChallenge series leaders to relax and compete in some fun driving away from the pressures of the championship which kicks off again in July at the Manx International Rally where Cunningham and Millener have a chance of taking the Fiesta SportChallenge 2010 title.
The end of the Chatsworth event was not however the end of the motorsport weekend for Cunningham as he flew straight from Manchester to Ireland where he was entered to compete on the Circuit of Munster rally on Sunday allowing him to continue his Junior Irish Tarmac Championship campaign.
A steady start for Cunningham in his Honda Civic, partnered by his brother Patrick saw Jonathan set third fastest time. The second stage would see improvement as he set second fastest time and closed in on second overall, however on the third stage disaster struck when Cunningham slid wide on a square right corner. Whilst in the process of getting the car back on the road, a fellow competitor smashed into the side of the Honda causing significant damage and causing Cunningham to lose a large amount of time. Although the young Irishman would claim a finish to the event it was a disappointing result and makes his challenge to win the Irish Junior championship even harder but Cunningham is still determined to fight for good results on all the remaining rounds and is determined not to give up the fight yet.
Driver Jonathan Cunningham said: “Saturday was a great day, getting a spin with a current WRC driver is a once in a lifetime experience, something I may never get to do again, so that was a great start to the weekend. The Nations Cup was great fun and competing away from the championship pressures is always enjoyable. The rally in Ireland on Sunday was very disappointing but I am determined to not let it get to me and I hope to come back stronger on my next event at the Isle of Man in a few weeks time.”